Cocoa's Chronicles

Today is such a difficult day fur my meowmy because this is the day, exactly one year ago that I made my journey and earned my beautiful wings. As I look down from Heaven, I could see her crying... She has been updating her Facebook and is making this day all about me with beautiful pictures and touching comments from so many furiends. I miss my family purrry much but I also want them to know that I'm ok and that God is taking such pawsome care of me. I have regained my strength and I'm no longer ill. I have also met lots of new furiends along the way.

This was also the month that meowmy received the call that she was diagnosed with early stages of Breast Cancer (last year). During that time, she received several surgeries and HDR (high dosage radiation) 2x daily for 5 days. They implanted a radiation device and catheters into her left breast where she received the radiation treatments. She has been doing well since everything, last year and will be going for a Breast MRI on 8/10//12. Please keep my meowmy in your prayers that everything will turn out good... She is on Tamoxifen daily for 5 years and give her horrible hot flashes. Awwww, poor meowmy!

Well, I better get back to the pawty that they're throwing fur me and all of the angels who made their journey on this day. I have one particular furiend who I'll be spending the day with and his name is CK. Mommy is dear furiends with his mommy, Lazli Ragland. Please keep CK's family in your thoughts & purrayers today as well as my family. This is a difficult time fur them and your thoughts, purrrs and purayers mean so much to me and to them. I will continue watching over each and every one of you and please know that I miss and love you guys purrry much. By the way, did I mention that everyday is a pawty day here at the Bridge? Yup, everyday!

UPDATE: Meowmy got her MRI results today and everything looks great. We were all so relieved to hear the wonderful news. Thanks to all of her wonderful Facebook furiends for the lovely "thinking Of You" posts and to our dear furiend, Angel Rocky Ann & Fam fur the lovely Star and message!

This morning, meowmy was waiting fur a special delivery and couldn't leave the home because Boogers mom said that she must be home to accept it. Mom had no idea what it was but knew that she had to be home and figured that it required a signature. Well, she saw the mailman delivering in the Townhome mailboxes so she came downstairs and looked outside by the front door and there was a pawkage to her from Jill Jones. She knows that Jill paints beautiful art so she had her suspicions but still was not 100% sure. She then went back upstairs and carefully opened the pawkage. Enclosed was something wrapped in lots of bubble wrap and underneath that was the pressie wrapped in green tissue with an orange ribbon as well as a card. As mom opened it, she saw that there was the most stunning and realistic portrait of me painted by "Jill". She began crying as she pet my head and held it close to her chest. She then opened the lovely card and read each name and smiled with joy. She was touched beyond words and is so appreciate of the dear furiends who were a part of making this very special gift pawsible. Mom is planning on taking it to be framed and then will find a purry special spot to hang it. Most likely, it will be in the flyer as you come into the home. It will be placed either next to Picasso's picture or on the wall across from his.

I would now like to thank my following furiends who brightened mom's day with their love & thoughtfulness "In Memory Of Me." I will be listing the names in order as they're written on the enclosed card.

(The card reads: To lose a true friend is never easy. Know that you're in our thoughts. They also added "For a very special friend in honor of an extraordinary cat."

Thank You again fur always being there but especially fur there fur my meowmy. She will furever be grateful to all of you. Please know that I will watch over you each and everyday and also know that one day, you will all meet with your furbabies in Heaven,,,

Today, meowmy stopped by the Vet at 6:00 pm to pick up my Urn Chest and bring me back home where I belong. She had to work and it was purrry difficult for her because all she did was cry. I wish that I could help her through this but I'm sure that she knows I'm looking over her every minute and love & miss her so much. She gave me a pawsome 16-1/2 years and I couldn't have been happier.

When she stopped in, the Tech handed her the box that contained my chest and she began crying. She then asked if my paw print was in there and it was. She had put a request in when she brought me in last week to also have the Crematory make a paw print which the did with Clay Paws. Now all she has to do it pursonalize it with what she wants it to say and bake it.

As soon as mom came home, she brought me upstairs to take pictures of my Urn, paw print, lock of fur and Cremation Certificate. Although this was a purrry sad and difficult day fur my pawrents, they also feel closure now that I'm home.

Thanks so much to each and eveyone of you who have been so kind with sending mom sympathy cards, flowers, e-mails & phone calls. It means the world to her and to me.

I have been looking down from Heaven and all I see is my meowmy crying. I wish I could be there to let her know that I'm ok but I'm sure she knows that I'm at peace now and that God and the angels are taking great care of me. Meowmy and I were best furiends and I don't like to see her sad and crying *wipes eyes* I came into my wonderful home from the shelter in June of 1995 at the young age of 8 weeks old. I have always been a big mommy's boy and she was my world just as I was and always will be hers! Thanks meowmy fur making my 16 years so special.

Yesterday afternoon, meowmy's dear furiend, Marie came over and stayed fur dinner as well as the night since she's not allowed to drive after dark. Mom made delicious homemade spaghetti sauce and everyone had a wonderful dinner. Later in the evening at about 11:45, mom was crocheting while auntie Marie was watching the news. I was sitting on the enjoying the company of mom & auntie Marie. I showed no signs of anything being wrong and I was even purring, enjoying pets on the head.

As some of you may recall, I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism (through a complete blood panel) 3 weeks ago so Doc Wray put me on medication which I seemed to be responding well. My metabolism slowed down and I was eating normally. I was also diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy 8-1/2 years ago which is a long time to have this horrible heart disease but with the wonderful care from my meowmy, I was doing fine. I was an old fella at the age of almost 16-1/2 but mom still insisted to call me her kitten and of course, her baby. I was due to go back to the vet in a few weeks to have my weight checked and another blood work sample on my Thyroid.

This morning when mom came down at 8:15am to feed us and give me my medications, she noticed that I was not in my usual spot in the foyer so she called me but no answer. She then saw me laying in the dining room near the chair and as she approached me, I still didn't respond. She knew something was terribly wrong. Then as she picked me up in her arms, she knew that I had made my journey. She screamed my name crying in disbelief so auntie Marie helped her to the sofa while mom was holding me. They got dressed and took me to the vet by 8:30am. Doc told meowmy & auntie that I passed peacefully (looking at my gums) and showed no signs of a struggle to breathe. He said that I passed away at around 5:30-6:00am. Doc was also very thoughtful and came up from performing surgery this morning to see what was going on when we arrived...

At around 2:00am, auntie went to use the bathroom and I was doing fine laying in my usual spot so that means that I made my journey several hours later. I never made any sounds or indications that I was passing away or feeling sickly. Otherwise, when any of us make a sound, mom comes running, even if she's in a sound sleep. Certain things will wake her and that's one of them.

I will be privately cremated and returned back to my home next week. Mom made my paw print last year but asked if the crematory will also make another one for her. Mom's sister also sent a beautiful Sympathy Arrangement & teddy bear which touched meowmy deeply.

I would like to meow thanks to all of you fur your love, purrrs, purrayers and support shown to my family during this purrry difficult time. When Mom is feeling up to it, she will help me to thank all of you fur your lovely gifties & rosettes as well as update those in my diary.

Thanks fur always being such furiends to me and remember... I will watch over each and everyone of you *blows angel kisses*

Just moments ago when mom signed onto her computer, she saw a purrry special message and it was from Catster HQ informing her that I am today's Cat Of The Day! Thanks a bunch Catster fur choosing me today with such a pawsome honor and I'm so excited! Unfortunately, meowmy has to work later this afternoon into the evening but that's ok because she's off tomorrow. She does have to take her furiend, Marie grocery shopping in the morning but she'll still have a good portion of the day here with us. I can't begin to purrr how exciting this is fur my family and me and I know that this will be "MY DAY" today just as mom does when any of us are honored. I only wish that we could have the windows opened but it looks like rain but then again, mom could use a little rainfall since she planted her purrty pink flowers yesterday, Tomorrow they're calling fur sunshine all day long *does happy dance*

It's now April 21st here on the east coast and that means I'm officially celebrating my 16th Birthday... meowmy adopted me from the local shelter when I was a little less than 8 weeks old and here I am today, 16 years old. I'm now considered a geriatric kitty but of course, I don't feel that old although some days I admit that I do. I've lost a significant amount of muscle mass due to the aging process but don't worry, I'm the first to eat breakfast and the first to eat dinner. Not to mention the last to leave the feeding dishes *giggles*

My entire life has been wonderful so far and my meowmy has loved me unconditionally every single day and I'm furever grateful fur the wonderful life that she has given to me and to my daddy. I met my new daddy in 2000 but was with meowmy since 1995. I couldn't be happier and I also love my siblings. I was diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy 8-1/2 years ago and I'm still here because of the furtastic care that mom gives me each day. She makes sure that I get my heart medications as well as monitors my breathing. I also get my senior blood profiles to make sure that everything is ok. I'm not quite as playful as I once was, nor am I as fast with getting around but I do just fine and my ripe old age.

Today is also a sad day fur my pawrents because this will mark 2 years (on my Birthday) that my sister, Kashmere made her sudden journey into Heaven. She passed away in mom's arms at 11:45 here at home due to a blood clot that traveled up through her spine and into her brain. I know that mom will be crying throughout the day but we're all here to comfort her and to let her know that Kashmere is in heaven and that one day, we'll meet her again. We just don't like to see our mom sad. She will be taking her dear furiend, Marie who is sick with Emphysema/COPD to the doctors this afternoon and then back home to spend time with me. I even saw that she got me a vanilla cupcake from Barnes & Noble bakery Shoppe!

Well, time to take a long nap since it will be a fur-filled day fur me later on. Thanks again to my pawrents, aunties and to all of my Catster furiends fur always being there fur me. I'll catch up on my Diary updates as soon as mom arrives back home from taking care of auntie Marie *blows kisses*

Today was a purry sad day as we learned that our dear furiend and auntie, Hazel Lucy made her journey to the Bridge at 12:30 pm as a result from renal failure. She was such a beautiful kitty who started the Purr Threads here on Catster...Hazel Lucy touched all of our hearts in such a special way and she will always hold a place in our hearts. Our meowmy is also saddened and shocked by this sudden news as she was not expecting it. Please keep Hazel Lucy and her meowmy, Julie in your purrrs & purrayers during this sad and difficult time. It is never easy to say good bye but I do believe that one day, we will meet with our families again. Love you auntie Hazel Lucy and always know that you will live on furever in our memories *wipes eyes* Auntie Hazel Lucy has touched our hearts and will leave a lasting impression with everyone that was blessed to know her. I know that angel's Picasso & Kashmere will show her around Heaven and I bet that the Bridge is having a big pawty fur her arrival. Beautiful wings fur a beautiful angel.

Holy kittens... We are several months behind on Catster but now we're trying to catch up. We didn't want any of you to think that we left fur good as that would never happen. Sometimes our humans just get sidetracked and we just wanted to apawologize fur any celebrations that we may have missed.

We have had several snowstorms since my last diary entry and some of those were really big. Mom loves when it snows so she can run out there and start taking purrty pictures in the development. You know how mom is with the camera... Today, she and daddy are also celebrating their 11th year Annifursary together so they're planning on going to a nice dinner at one of mom's favorite restaurants.

We pawmise to try and keep up with our diaries but unfortunately, things do come up and that's when we fall behind. I'm sure it happens to everyone. Mom can't believe that February is already here... Before we know it, it will be spring and summer and that means fresh air with the windows open *does happy dance*

Today was such a fun day as we received pawsome pressies from our dear furiends, *HOOCH & FAMILY * While mom was chatting with auntie Jo Ann (Hooch's mom) she opened the front door and there was a big pawkage fur all of us. Mom was just as excited and we couldn't wait to see what was inside. A little later on, my helped us open the envelope and inside and the gifts were wrapped in purrty kitty wrap. Mom nicely displayed the gifties and then proceeded to call us. Of course when we hear our names called, we come running *giggles*

Now let me tell you all about our gifts: 4-catnip kirby sticks (my favorite)lots of fuzzy catnip toys (mousies, bunny and feather ball) and a cute kitty neck tie. Meowmy received a lovely black & white swirl design 300 slot photo album with matching stationery (journal, note cards and a black velvet pocket phone book along with a really purrty Yankee Candle "Christmas scented Catmas tree ornament that even comes with a vial of scented oil.

Thanks so much Hooch & Family fur making our Catmas so much fun and purrry special *blows kisses*

We are so excited as we just found out from meowmy that we'll be meeting KiKi, Ember & Angel Sammie's pawrents this coming Saturday *does happy dance* They have always been such a purry special family to us and of course are also our New Jersey furiends...

Meowmy had a doctors appointment this morning and then back home to relax. She went upstairs to change into her PJ's before Therapy later and she saw that her hair stylist left a message letting her know that someone was having their hair done who recognized us from Catster. Mom's eyes got super big and round and called Louise ASAP! Well, she couldn't figure out who it was even after speaking to the Catster mom. Silly meowmy... even with the NJ hint *giggles* Finally mom gave up and it was KiKi's meomwy, Joanne. Mom was dumbfounded for words and was so excited. What are the chances that mom's hair stylist is the same lady who does auntie Joanne's hair? They spoke for a long while talking about Angel Picasso and Ember who was also diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy recently. Angel Picasso, Cannoli, Ember & I all share the same Cardiologist! We will keep Ember and his beautiful family in our daily purrrrs and purrayers... our pawrents will be meeting KiKi's pawrents on Saturday and we can't wait. What a wonderful day this will be and I think they're even planning on having dinner together.